Donald Hanson
d. June 23, 2023
Donald Hanson, 89, of Anchorage, Alaska, passed away on June 23, 2023, at his home in Alaska. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 23rd at 11:00 am at Granite Falls Lutheran Church.
Donald Roland Hanson was born in Granite Falls Minnesota to Andrew and Bertha Hanson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.
He grew up working on the family farm in Granite Falls, Minnesota. On a winter vacation to Seattle, Washington to visit his sister Florence, he met Patricia. They married three months later on March 21, 1958. They began their married life on the farm in Granite Falls. After a year of terrible farming and losing their son, they moved to Seattle in November of 1959. Then in 1963 an opportunity in Anchorage Alaska came a-knocking and they began their life in Alaska. Following the 1964 earthquake, in 1966 work became sparse so they packed up and moved back to Seattle, but only for a few years. In 1971 Alaska called again and this time it was forever.
Donald loved life in Alaska. He was an avid fisherman and hunter. He fished for salmon, halibut, ling cod, rockfish, etc. He liked to fish in the ocean as well as rivers. In the early 80's he purchased a boat and began commercial fishing halibut out of Homer, Alaska. No matter how rough the seas were, he never got seasick, even when those around him were feeding the fish! He remained unphased. He hunted moose, dall sheep, caribou, bear, and ptarmigan. The family ate pretty much everything he hunted and fished; some were tastier than others and some were just terrible (bear). When visiting family in Minnesota he enjoyed hunting for pheasants with his nephews.
Donald built over 40 homes in Anchorage and several commercial buildings. He enjoyed the physical work of building houses. He built his last house when he was 80! In addition, he did numerous repairs and fixes for neighbors and friends. He liked being able to help people.
He was so very proud of his Swedish heritage and loved his Swedish family. He visited Sweden many times over the years. In 2005 he took his daughters to Sweden to meet family, experience the culture, and see the beautiful country.
Donald was preceded in death by his son Timothy, his parents, brother Leonard and sisters Alice, Helen, Marion, Florence and Irene, and son-in-law John Norsworthy.
He leaves behind his wife Patricia of 65 years, two daughters, Karen Norsworthy of Anchorage, Alaska and Linda Leitis (Edmunds Leitis) of Sammamish, Washington, two grandsons, Konrads Leitis of Bellingham, Washington and Lukas Leitis of North Bend, Washington and his sister Doris Monson of Saint Peter, Minnesota.
Yellow was Donald's favorite color. Those who will be attending his funeral service, please wear something yellow in his memory.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Strombeck Cemetery maintenance fund in Donald's name. Strombeck Cemetery c/of Kathy Leindecker, 1708 E Lincoln Ave #8, Montevideo, MN 56265.
Donald Roland Hanson was born in Granite Falls Minnesota to Andrew and Bertha Hanson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.
He grew up working on the family farm in Granite Falls, Minnesota. On a winter vacation to Seattle, Washington to visit his sister Florence, he met Patricia. They married three months later on March 21, 1958. They began their married life on the farm in Granite Falls. After a year of terrible farming and losing their son, they moved to Seattle in November of 1959. Then in 1963 an opportunity in Anchorage Alaska came a-knocking and they began their life in Alaska. Following the 1964 earthquake, in 1966 work became sparse so they packed up and moved back to Seattle, but only for a few years. In 1971 Alaska called again and this time it was forever.
Donald loved life in Alaska. He was an avid fisherman and hunter. He fished for salmon, halibut, ling cod, rockfish, etc. He liked to fish in the ocean as well as rivers. In the early 80's he purchased a boat and began commercial fishing halibut out of Homer, Alaska. No matter how rough the seas were, he never got seasick, even when those around him were feeding the fish! He remained unphased. He hunted moose, dall sheep, caribou, bear, and ptarmigan. The family ate pretty much everything he hunted and fished; some were tastier than others and some were just terrible (bear). When visiting family in Minnesota he enjoyed hunting for pheasants with his nephews.
Donald built over 40 homes in Anchorage and several commercial buildings. He enjoyed the physical work of building houses. He built his last house when he was 80! In addition, he did numerous repairs and fixes for neighbors and friends. He liked being able to help people.
He was so very proud of his Swedish heritage and loved his Swedish family. He visited Sweden many times over the years. In 2005 he took his daughters to Sweden to meet family, experience the culture, and see the beautiful country.
Donald was preceded in death by his son Timothy, his parents, brother Leonard and sisters Alice, Helen, Marion, Florence and Irene, and son-in-law John Norsworthy.
He leaves behind his wife Patricia of 65 years, two daughters, Karen Norsworthy of Anchorage, Alaska and Linda Leitis (Edmunds Leitis) of Sammamish, Washington, two grandsons, Konrads Leitis of Bellingham, Washington and Lukas Leitis of North Bend, Washington and his sister Doris Monson of Saint Peter, Minnesota.
Yellow was Donald's favorite color. Those who will be attending his funeral service, please wear something yellow in his memory.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Strombeck Cemetery maintenance fund in Donald's name. Strombeck Cemetery c/of Kathy Leindecker, 1708 E Lincoln Ave #8, Montevideo, MN 56265.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donald Hanson, please visit our flower store.